Corn-popping machine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zz WMI/ame s 7, N n.. r... n.1; lu". D f@ as Feb. 7,1928.

W. G. HOWE CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed July 26 1926 Feb. 7, 1928.1,658,486

w. G. Howe:

CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed July 26. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb.7, 1928.

WILLIAM G. Howe, or :ons MOINES, IOWA.

conn-Perrine MACHINE. F

Application filed July 26, 1926. Serialy No. 124,963. y

My invention relates to corn'popping machines.

It is ymy object tov provide a corn popping machine having itsvparts soconstructed and arranged that the machine may be started and theoperation of supplying the corn `vto the popping chamber, discharging ittherefrom, and supplying butter and salt to the corn, will beautomatically performed.`

Another purposev ot my invention is to provide a corn popping machine otthe type in which the grains `ot corn are automatically supplied to thereceptacle in which they are popped. i

lt is another ofmy objects to provide in such a machine a novel meansfor auto-4 to the corn during A further purpose ot my invention is toprovide a. novel assembly'tor thecorn, salt and butter containers, andto provide a suitable pipe tor carrying the fumes from the popping cornaway from the corn popping` chamber.

Still another object is `to provide a novel form of corn popper pan anda convenient structure for mounting it on and removing it from the otherparts; Y

Still another object is to provide in such a machine suitable mechanismfor operating the corn agitating means.

lilith these and other objects in View, my .invention consists in theconstruction, ar rangement and combination ot the various parts ot mycorn popping machine, whereby the objects contemplated. are attained, ashereinafter more fully set forth, pointed 'out in my claims, andillustrated in the accoml pan ying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ot' a corn io iping machine embodying myinvention, the

top of the casing therefore being shown in section, and parts beingbroken away.V

Figure 2 is a vertical, detail, sectional taken onthe line lll-10 otFigure 1; and4 Figure 11 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line11--11 ot Figure et;

It is my purpose to; provide acorn popfping machine to beused forpopping corn on a commercial scale. For this purpose, I expect yto mountthe machine described herein on a cart and to then enclose most of themechanism in a suitable casing, preterably with glass Walls. I explainthis for the purpose of making clear the general environment otthemechanism now to be more Aparticularly described. l have not shown thecasing, excepting the top thereof, which is indicated in theaccompanying drawings by the reference numeral 10 and Which is shown toillustrate the relation `ot` the corn popping mechanism to the casing.

It will be noted that the corn lpopping mechanism is mounted on the top10 of the casing in which most ot the machine is enclosed. i

My machine comprises means for popping corn, means for automaticallysupplying the corn to the popper pan, means for automatically supplyingsalt` and butter to the corn, and meansv tor carrying the fumes out ofthe casing. f'

I provide below the casing top: member ll() a metal disc orthe like 11on which rests an annular llat ring 12. The metal disc 11 and ringplatel2 are supported 'from the top 10 by n'ieans of suitable rods 13'. Aglass cylinder 14 serves as a spacer between the' top 10 and the ringplate 12. The lower edge et the glass cylinder le is received in lll(),rests on a collar 32 on the tube 27.

neath the flange 17 and above the ring plate 12 is formed an annularchamber or container 18 to receive melted butter, corn oil or the like19.

Formed on the flange 17 is an upwardly, projecting three-sided containermember 20, having the top 20a. The container member 2O cooperates with aportion of the glass cylinder 14 for forming a compartment or container21 for salt.

An intake tube 22 extends from the compartment 18 upwardly through theflange 17 and through the top 10 and is provided at its upper end with afunnel 28, through which oilor melted butter or the like may be suppliedto the compartment 18.

A tube 24 extends upwardly from the compartment 21 through the top 10and is provided at its upper end with a similar funnel 25, through whichsalt may be supplied to the compartment 21.

The space atthe middle of the ring plate 12 is filled by a disc 26lixed'to a tube 27, which extends through the metal disc or plate 11,the disc 26 and through the top 10 as shown in Figure 2.

lVithin the glass cylinder 14 is the. pop corn compartment 28. A funnel29 is supported on the top 10 and has its tubular portion 30 extendingthrough the top 10 for supplying shelled corn to the pop corncompartment 28.

Mounted on the tube 27 above the top 10 is an inverted glass bowl or thelike 31, which covers the mechanism above the top 10 and The invertedball 31 may be removed for gaining access to the parts above the top 10.

0n the top of the top 10 is a bearing 83 through which the tube 27extends and on the bearing 33 is a collar 84, which limits 4the downwardmovement of the tube 27 through the bearing 38. On the tube 27 isajworrn wheel 35, which meshes with a worm Y86 on the shaft 37 of amotor 38 supported on the top 10 under the glass bowl 31.

It will be seen that the tube '27 can thus be rotated when the motor isturned ou, and it will be understood that the tube is rotatably mountedinthe discs 11 and 2G in the top :10.

At the lower end of the tube 27 is the popping pan, the agitator and theheating means.

Extending downwardly from the top 10 just on the inside of the cylinder14 are diametrically opposite posts 39, which project downwardly belowthe pop corn compartment 28, as shown inFigure 1. Supported atthe lowerends of the posts 89 is the pan support 40.

The pan support 40 consists of a cylinder having at its upper end theinwardly projecting, annular flange 41 into which the lower ends of theposts 87 are screwed. The

pan support 40 has a plurality of spaced, vertical webs or flanges 42projecting inwardly as shown in Figures 2 and 10.

Mounted on the lower end of the tube 27 to slide vertically is a pancover 43.

Before describing the popper pan, I will explain the manner in which thepop corn, melted butter and salt are automatically fed downwardlythrough the tube 27.

ln the disc 26, which rotates with the tube 27 is a hole 44, shown forinstance in Figure ln the sheet metal disc 11 is a radially arrangedslot 45. (See Figure 11). The material of the disc 11 at the edges ofthe slot 45 is shaped to form slideways or `guides 46 for a sliding gate47 on which is a handle'48. (See Figures 4 and 11).

Secured on the flange 17 is a cover plate 49, a portion of which restson the disc 26, as shown in Figure 4. Thus when the compartment 28contains corn and the tube 27 is rotated from the motor 38, a few grainsof corn will drop into the hole 44 and slide around on the disc 11 untilthe hole 44 registers with the slot 45,- whereupon if the sliding gate27 is open, such grains of corn will drop through the slot. The coverplate 49 is arranged above the slot 45, so that no corn can pass fromthe compartment 28 into the hole 44 during the time the corn is beingdischarged from the hole 44.

rllhe corn drops down into a cone-shaped hopper or container 50 mountedon the tube 27 and thence through an opening 51 inthe wall of the tube27 to the interior of the tube, and thence downwardly to the poppingpan, which will be hereafter described. The hopper 5G has a vertical,annular flange 53 at the top.

For discharging melted butter from the compartment 18, provide thefollowing means:

A tube 54 extends from the bottom of the compartment 18 downwardlythrough the ring plate 12 and disc 11 and is connected with a valvecasing in which is a valve 5G, and thence with a discharge tube. orspout 57 arranged to discharge into the hopper 5G, as shown in Figure-5.

rEhe stem of the valve 56 projects through the wall of the casing 55.Secured to the outer end of the stem 58 at right angles thereto is anarm 59 on which is a roller traveling on the upper edge of the flange53, which is provided with a notch 51. TWhen the roller 60 drops intothe notch 61, the valve is opened for allowing oil to pass into thehopper 50, but as soon as the roller 60 passes out of the notch G1, thevalve is closed.

For feeding salt to the hopper 50, there is provided a tube 62 extendingfrom the bottom of the salt compartment 21 downwardly through thecompartment 18, the ring plate 12 and the disc 11 and connected llt) Itwill thus be seen that Iihave provided valve controlled passages fromthe butter and salt compartments for discharging into f the hopper 50and thus into the tube 27 and therethrough to the popping pan. Thevalves are controlled by the rotation of the tube 27 for automaticallyControlling the supply of melted butter or oil or salt according to thespeed of the operation of the machine.

Referring now to the o a er an I have b 7 provided such a'pan having thebottom 67 and the peripheral walls 68. .(Sce Figure The pan has a secondor lower bottom screws or the like and on the under side of the secondbottom 69 is mounted'a handle 70 of wood or other materiahwhich is apoor conductor of heat.

Between the main bottom 67 ofthe popping pan and thebottom member 69, Imount a heating unit, comprising a coil or the like 7l, as shown inFigure l0. The ends of the heating coil 7l project through the wall ofthe heat unit compartment, which compartment I have indicated by thereference numeral 72. f

Mounted on the outside of the popping pan are blocks 73 of insulation,as shown for instance in Figure 10.r Binder posts 75 eX- tend throughthe blocks 73 as shown. for instance in Figure 6, and the ends of theheating coil 7l are secured to these posts.

At the other ends of the posts and on the opposite sides of the blocksof insulation 73 are contact plates 76, as shown in Figure 6. The cornpopping pan is of such size as to be slipped upwardly from below betweenthe webs or ribs 42 and to lit snugly in such posi tio-n. At the upperedges of the webs 42 at their inner portions are notches 77. At theupper edge of the wall 68 of the popper pan are outwardly projectingflanges 78, having downwardly projecting lugs 79, as shown for instancein Figure 7.

In mounting the popper pan on the support 40, the pan is slippedupwardly from' below between the webs or flanges 42. The popper pan isthen rotated Vuntil the flanges 78 slide into the notches 77 forholding'V the pan in position. The lugs 79 limit the rotary movement ofthe popper pan after the members 78 have entered the notches 7 7 Theposts 39 are tubular and conducting wires 80eonnected with a suitablesource of electrical energy are extended through them and connectedwithbinding posts 81. These binding posts 8l areextended through oppositewebs or flanges ll2 and are insulated therefrom by bushings 82andwashers 83.

On each binding post 8l is mounted a block of insulation 84 carrying aspring contact 85. l

Vhen the pan is inserted up into the holder and rotated until it islocked in posi tion, the contact plates 76 engage the contact points 85for connecting the heating unit7l with the wires 80.

Mounted on the lower end of the tubulary shaft 27 is the agitator forthe pop corn. In the lower end of the tubular shaft 27 is a slot 86shown in Figure 2. Received in the lower end of the shaft 27 is a block87, the upper edge of which is beveled as at 88 to discharge cornthrough the slot 86. Formed in the under surface of the block 87 is asocket 89, which may be in the form of a Greek cross. Receive-d in thesocket 86 is a block 90 having the form of a Greek cross from whichthere extends downwardly a cylindrical portion 91, vwhich projectsthrough the bottom 67, as shown in Figure 2, and has secured on to itslower end a head 92. The block 9() is thus mounted on the pan When thepan is inserted into its support, it is rotated until the block 90'registers properly with the socket 89, and the pan can then be furtherrotated for locking it in position. Such further rotation impartslimited rotation to the tube 27 for the reason that the block 87 isfastened to the tube 27 by means of a screw or the like 93. Y j

A piece of curled spring steel or the like 94 is fastened to the tubularshaft 27 by means of the screw 93. This member 94.-, which I call aguard, extends around the tubular shaft 27, spaced therefrom except atits point of connection therewith, and serves to protect the slot 86 andkeep the popped corn out of the slot and to move the popped corn awayfromtlie slot sufficiently toallow the discharge of raw pop corn.

I shall now describe in greater detail the operation of my improved cornpopping machine.

Pop corn is supplied to the pop corn conipartment 28 throughthe funnel29, salt. is supplied to the salt compartment 2O through the funnel 25and tube 24, and suitable oil or melted butter is supplied to theappropriate compartment 18 through the funnel 23 and tube 22. f

The corn popping pan is inserted upwardly into the support 40, isrotated until the block 90 registers with the socket 89 in the Vblock87, and is then shoved upwardly until the members 78 register`horizontally ywiththe notches 7 7, whereupon the pan is rotated untilthe members 7 Senter the notches INU lllf

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77 and further rotary movement of the pan is prevented by the lugs 79.lVhen the pan has reached this position, it is locked there by means ota spring actuated plunger U5, slidably mounted in the support 40, asshown in Figure 2. The plunger 95 enters a recess 9G in the Wall of thepan. This plunger holds the pan in position Where it van not beaccidentally rotated, and Where 'the plates 7G contact With the points85.

rEhe current is turned on through the heating unit 7l and after the panhas been heated t'or the proper length ot time, the motor is started.The motor imparts .rotation to the tubular shatt 2i' and. through theblocks ST and 90 to the ag'tators, The agitators consist oit stilinspring Wires 9T, which extend radially from the lower part oit the block8T and travel around the bottom (3T of the corn popping pan.

The inner ends of the still? ivire agitators 9T are bent upwardly as atSie and are fixed in the arms ot the bloeit Sil). r)The rotation ot thetubular shait 27 thus actuales the agitating Wires 97.

ll`he rotation of the tubular shalit. 2T also rotates the disc 2G, whichis listed to the shaft. As the disc 2G rotates, raw corn drops into thehole -el and slides on the disc l'l until the hole del: registers withthe slot l5 in the disc ll.

Assuming that the sliding closure.member has been moved to openposition, the corn then drops downwardly into the hopper 50 from thehole le thrmigh the slot 45. rl`he hole al is covered by the covermember Lit) during the time it. registers -ivith the slot dii.

Thus vrith each rotation of the tube 4T, a limited number ot grains ofcorn are dropped into the hopper 50. These pass through the pening 5l inthe Wall ot the shalt :2T and thence downwardly through the shutt to thebeveled tace 88 ot the block 87 and thence into the popping pan.

The rotation ot the shaft 2T carries with it the hopper 50. The rotationot the hooper 5() imparts rocking moven'ient 'to 'the stems of thevalves, which control the outlet passziges from the butler compartmentLits and the salt compartment- 21. thus permitting salt and meltedbutter in limited amounts to drop into the hopper with veach rotation otthe sha'lit- The salt and melted butter are thus mixed with the corn anddropped downwardly through the lower end ot the tubular shaft Q7 to thepopping pan.

The corn agitated by the wires 9T and is popped on account ot the heattrom the unit 7l. As the volume ot pop corn increases, itpushes upwardlythe cover member 43. which can slide freely on the tubular shaft QT.Some of the pop ycorn gradually escapes the upper, outer edge ot the panover the llange lll and drops into the main casing, which is not shou'n,except as to a portion of its top 10.

This operation can be automatically continued as long as an additionalsupply ot popped corn is required and as long the supply ol raw corn,salt and butter lasts.

The machine can be started up and Will then operate automaticallyWithout attention from the user for a very considerable time. The usercan take care ot' his customers without paying constant attention to themachine.

lt is obvious that the machine is ol' relatively simple construction.The ingredients for the popped corn can be easily and readilyreplenished by lifting up the bowl-shaped cover member 3l.

The entire device may be enclosed Within a main casing, so that theentire operation may be performed Without touching any ot theingredients with the hands and Without projecting the popped cornthrough dust or dirt in the air.

jitter the parts have once been properly adjusted, the machine willproperly pop corn with a mininuim attention from the operator. y

The corn popping; pan can be readily and easily removed even when it ishot by grasping the wooden handle TO, pulling` out the plunger 95, androtating the pan unt-il the members 7S clear the notches T7 in thetlanges d2.

One desirable feature of the structure herein disclosed is found in thetubular character ot the shaft 27 and the tact that its upper, open endis so arranged as to discharge into the atmosphere. rlhe 'fumes of theypopping` corn are thus taken out oil" the main casing or machine anddischarged into the air. This is desirable because it is not desirablelto keep thev 'fumes Within the cabine-t or casing and the aroma otpopping corn in the air is tound a good` suggestive means for arousingthe appetites ot' prospective customers in the neighborhood.

lt will be obvious that the sliding closure member fl? may be closedivheilever desired to prevent the supplyingoiE additional raw corn tothe popping pan.

There are a number o l' other advantageous :features about thoctmstruc-tion disclosed in my corn popping machine.

For example, attention is called to the tact that the flange 17 not onlyterms a wall for the compartment 18 for melted butter or oil, but alsoatfords a conical bottom for the corn compartment 28. It thus followsthat with a corn compartment having its bottoni thus tapered, all ot thecorn will be fed to the moving disc 26, so that the full capacity ot thecorn compartment may be used and all et the corn discharged therefromivithout special attention.

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With a construction of thiskind, while the feed is in a senseintermittent, it is in another sense continuous. The amount ofk corn,melted butter or salt fed at each operation of the feeding mechanisms isvery small, and the feeding operations are repeated at very shortintervals, so that there is really a continuous feedv of small amounts.This vaffords a more satisfactory method of popping cornthan is possibleWhere a full charge for the corn popping pan is supplied at ai time.

, It is desirable that the corn should be heatedfor about a minute and ahalf to two minutes, and that when popped, it should be discharged fromthe popping pan. 4

lVith a device of this kind, the corn popping operation is continuousand about the same amount of corn per minute is popped.

I have found by actual experiment that Where a full charge for the cornpopping pan is put in at a time, the results are not as good as When thecorn is fed continuously in small amounts. VVhei-e a full charge is putinto the pan at a timethere are more grains Which shrivel up and do notpop. In this connection, there is, of course, a` great advantage iscontinuously feeding the corn and melted butter or oil simultaneously tothe popping pan. l the best results can be secured by popping corn'inthe oil, `and it is desirable to supply the oil and corn simultaneouslyto the heated pan by a substantially continuous, simultaneous feedingoperation.

It may be noted that all the features are visible so that the operatorof the machine can readily determine that they are operating. y

Another feature of this machine which is of importance lies in the factthat the old maids or unpopped grains of corn are never discharged intothe main casing with the popped corn. TheyV remain" inthe popping panand may be taken out and thrown away when the pan is rremovedfrom itssupport.

The quick detachability of the pan thus has a number of advantages.Itmales possible the easy removal of the unpopped corn grains. It makesit easy to takeout thepan for cleaning or repairs. This latter featureis important in connection with the fact that the heating element ismounted in the pan bottom, so that the pan may be easily takeny out andaccess can be had to the heating element forpurposes of repair orreplacement.

The continuous feed has another advantage from the commercialstandpoint, because in the operation of my machine, there is acontinuous discharge of poppedk corn from the popping pan over the edgeof the support in the shape of a round waterfall.

This is attractive tothe public and is valu-y ahlefor advertisingpurposes.V y

It is perhaps important to callattention Experience shows that to thegreat4 simplicity of my operating mechanism and particularly to the factthat all of the feeds are operated directly from the single tubularshaft.

Changes may he made in the details of the construction and arrangementofthe parts of my improved corn popping machine Without departing fromthe real spiritv and purpose of my invention, and it is` my intention tocover by my claims any modified forms. of structureV or use ofmechanical equivalents, Whichrma-yvbe reasonably included Within theirscope.

I claim as my invention:

fl, In a corn popping machine, a corn popping'pan, means for lapplyingheat to said pan, a rotatable hollow shaft for automatically supplyingraW corn, salt 'and oil through the shaft to the pan, means carried bythe shaft for agitating the corn in the pan, and a cover for the panslidably mounted so that it may be pushed upwardly for permitting thedischarge of popped corn when the volumeof popped corn increases to kacertain point. Y

In a corn popping machine, a raw corn compartment, a tubular shaft,means for imparting rotation to said shaft, a corn popping pan support,a cornV popping pan mounted on said support, means for discharging corninto said pan when the shaft is rotated, a hopper mounted on said shaftbelow said compartment, said shaft ,having an opening through Which cornmay be discharged from the hopper into the lower part of they shaft, andmeans for discharging corn from the compartment into the hopper whent-he .shaft is rotated.

8. In acorn popping machine, afraw corn compartment, a tubular shaft,means for imparting rotation to said'shaft, a corn popping pan support,a corn popping pan mounted on saidsupport, Ameans forapply ing heat tosaid pan, means for discharging corn into said pan through the shaftwhen the shaft is rotated, a salt' compartment, and means fordischarging lsalt therefrom through' the shaft into the corn popping'panWhen the shaft is rotated.

4. Inka corn popping machine a raw corn Y compartment, a4 tubular shaft,Vmeans for imparting rotation to said shaft,la corn pop# ping pansupport, la corn popping pan mounted onsaidsupport, means forapplyingheat to said pan-means for discharging ing heat to said pan,means for discharging corn through the shaft into said pan Vwhen theshaft is rotated, a saltcomlmrtinent, means 'for discharging salttherefrom through the shait into the corn popping pan when the shaft isrotated, an oil compartment, and means i'or discharging oil through theshaft into the popping pan when the shaft is rotated.

6. In a corn popping machine, a raiv corn compartment, a tubular shaft,means tor imparting rotation to said shalt, a. corn pop,- ping pansupport, a corn popping pan mounted on said support, means 'i'or appl);-ing heat to the pan, means ii'or discha" -ug vorn into said pan when theshatt rotated, and a corn agitator connected with the lower end olf saidshalt for agitating cern in the pan.

7. In a corn poppii'ig machine, a rau' roi-n compartment, a tubularshaft, means it'or .imparting rotation to said sliat, a corn popping pansupport, a corn popping pan mounted on said support, means vlordischarging corn into said pan when the shaft is rotated, a saltcompartment, and. means for discharging salt therefrom into the cornpopping pan when the shaft is rotated, said last means comprising ahopper on said shaft, apassage for discharging salt trom the saltcompartment into the hopper, a valve in said passage, and means .toractuating said valve according to the rotation of the hopper with theshaft, said shaft having an opening in its Wall for permitting dischargefrom the hopper to the inside of the shaft.

8. In a corn popping machine, a ranv corn compartment, tubular shaft,means for imparting rotation to said shaft, a corn popping pan support,a corn popping pan mounted on said support, means t'or discharging eorninto said pan when the shait is rotated, an oil compartment, and meansfor discharging oil into the corn popping pan when the shaft rotated,said means comprising a hopper on said shaft, a passage from the oilcompartment for discl'iarging into the hopper, a valve in said passage,

means for actuating said valve according to the rotation ot the hopper,saidshatt having an opening in its wall 'for permitting dischargeilromthe hopper to the inside olY the shaft.

i). In a corn popping machine, a ,asing top, a corn popping mechanismmounted thereon including a tubular shalt extended from the shaft,comprising a curved finger projecting from the shaft and spaced radiallytherefrom except at its point ot attachnientl0. In a corn poppingmachine, a corn popping pan support having circumferentially spaced,upright flanges provided at their upper edges with notches, a cornpopping pan having projecting members adapted to be received in saidnotches, means for locking the pan against rotation when the pan ismoimted on the support, eontai'ft points l'uounted on said iunightn'ieinbers, a heating unit in the bottom of said pan, contact members'on `the pan and connected u'ith'said heating unit and arranged toengage said. contact; point when the pan is mounted on the support.

11. In a device ot the class described, a vorn popping pan supportingdevice having vtabula r supporting members and having upright,circumterentially spaced iianges provided at their upper edges Withnotches, a corn popping pan provided with laterali),v lnfojeetingmembers adapted to be received in said notches, a heating elementmounted in the bottom of said pan, means for connecting said heatingelement with conducting Wires when the pan is installed on said support.

12.111 a corn popping machine, a raw corn compartment, a tubular shaft,means for imparting rotation to said shaft, a corn popping pan support,a corn popping pan mounted on said support, and means for dischargingcorn into said aan when the sh "i is rotated, said means comprising adisc mounted on said shaft just abovevthe bottom ot said compartment andprovided with a hole, the bottom of said comljiartment having a slot,said tube having a hopper thereon below said compartment and beingprovided with an opening t'or permitting the discharge ot' corn from thehopper to the interior et the tube.

13. In a corn popping machine, a corn popping pan, means for heating thepan, a, hollow shaft discharging into the pan, and means forsimultaneously, automaticallj,Iv supplying raw corn and oil through theshait to the pan. l

lll. In a` corn popping machine, a corn popping pan, a hollow shatttorvdisehargii'ig into the pan, means 'for simultai'ieously,automat'icall}`7 supplying raw corn` and oil through the sha't't to thepan and means on the shaft for agit-ating the corn in the pan.

l5. In a. corn popping machine, a corn popping pan, means for heatingthe pan, a hollow shattor discharging into the pan, means torautomatically, simultaneously supplying raiv corn and salt through theshaft to the pan.

Y 16. In a corn popping machine, 'a corn pspagpra, wenn pan, a

. hollow hollow shaft arranged to discharge into the pan, means forcontinuously,y automatically, simultaneously supplying raw corn and oilthrough the shaft to the pan.

17. In a corn poppin@r machine, a` corn popping pan, means forheatingthe pan, a shaft for discharging into the pan, means for continuously,automatically simultaneously, supplying raw corn and salt through theshaft to the pan.

18. In a corn popping machine, a corn y `popping pan, means for applyingheat to the pan, a hollow shaft for discharging into the pan, and meansfor continuously, automatically, simultaneously supplying raw corn andsalt and koil through the shaft to the pan.

19. In a corn popping machine, a pan support, a pan, said support andpan having coopera-ting means for detachably connecting them together,so that the pan may be lowered away from the support and removedtherefrom, an electrical heating element inl the pan bottom, coactingcontacts onthe pan and support, arranged to be automaticallydisconnected when the pan is so removed.

v2O. In a corn popping machine, a pan support, contacts thereon, a pan,coactingl contacts thereon, said support andpan having cooperating meansfor connecting them to'.-

gether, so that the pan may be lowered away from the support vandvremoved therefrom and the respective contacts disconnected, and meansfor automatically supplying corn to the pan and for agitating the corntherein.

2l. In a corn popping machine, a pan support, contacts thereon, a pan,coacting contacts on the pan, said support and panihav ing cooperatingmeans for connecting them together, so that the pan may be lowered awayfrom the support and removed therefrom and the respective contactsdisconnected, means for agitating the corn in the pan.

- 22. In a corn popping machine structure, a casing top, a tubular shaftextending there-` through, a corn popping pan support, a corn popping`pan mounted thereon, a cover on said shaft for the corn popping pan,said shaft serving as a direct vent from the corn popping pan throughthe casing top.

In a corn popping machine, a cylin-L drical receptacle having a bottomand a false inclined bottom member whereby there is foin'ied enccompartment above said conesliaped niei'nber, the contents of whichwill` slide down the coneushaped member, and another compartment belowit, a hopper belouY said receptacle, both compartments heing providedwith means for discharging inf to the hopper, a. tubular shaft extendedthrough the hopper having a hole in its wall near the bottom of thehopper.

24. In a corn popping machine, a cylin-r drical receptacle having abottom and a false inclined bottom member, whereby there is formed onecompartment above said member,

.nientV belowit, a hopper below said recep tacle, both compartmentsbeing provided with nieans for discharging into the hopper, a tubularshaft extended through thehopper having va hole in its wall near thebottom of the hopper, means for rotating said shaft, a popping pan belowsaid shaft, and an agitator carried by the sli-aft.

Ina cornpopping machine, a corn popping pan, heating means therefore, aro tatably mounted shaft arranged to discharge into said pan, a fixedhopper surrounding said shaft, said shaft having a hole above the bottomof the hopper, and means for automatically supplying corn to the hopper.

In a corn' popping "machine, a corn popping pan, heating meanstherefore, a rotatably mounted shaft arranged to discharge into saidpan, a fixed hopper surrounding said shaft, said shaft having a holeabove the bottom of the hopper, and mea-ns for sup# plying corn and oilto the hopper.

27.'In al corn popping machine, a corn popping pan, heating meanstherefore, a rotatably mounted shaft arranged to discharge into saidpan, a fined hopper surrounding said shaft, said shaft having a holeabove the bottom of the hopper, and means for automatically supplyingoil and salt to the hopper.

28. In a corn popping machine, a popping pan, a hollow shaft with itsdischarge end adjacent to the bottom of the pan provided with adischargeslot and a guard member ico f carried by the shaft projecting across thep slot spaced therefrom.

pan, a rotatably mounted hollow shaft with its discharge end adjacent tothe bottom of the pan formed with a discharge slot and a guard membercarried by the sIiaft projecting across the slot spaced therefrom andadapted to rotate with the shaft to move corn in the pan away from Vtheslot. n

30. In a corn popping machine, a support, a popping pan, coactingcontacts on t ie 'support and pan, coacting means on the support and panfor connecting them together and for permitting the pan to be loweredawa from the support and separated therefrom and disconnecting therespcctive contact points,

31. In a. corn popping machine, a fined support, a corn popping pan,said support and pan having coasting parts for detachably connectingthem together and for permitting the pan to be lowered away andseparated from said support, a vertically mounted rotary hollow shaftfor supplying corn to'said pan, and an agitator carried by said shaft. i

Des Moines, Iowa,May 14, 1926-.

IWILLIAM HOINE.

